2 



Inaugural Address. 



or eminent for their learnings and it would therefore have been 

 most difficult for me to reconcile to myself my occupation of 

 this place had I not felt assured of your recognition in me of 

 those more humble^ but perhaps not less useful qualities which 

 may aid our common object, but in the language of one who 

 had far less reason for using it under circumstances not unlike 

 the present. I repeat that ''in zeal for the welfare of this 

 Association, in intense interest for the accomplishment of its 

 object, I yield to none, and if these may suffice, I hope I shall 

 not be found unworthy of the trust you repose in me." Yet 

 it is no common responsibility with which you have charged 

 me, for this Association is one of the great powers which the 

 altering phases of this world have called into action; yet a few 

 years sines and it could not have existed ] and even now some 

 persons are found unable to appreciate its worth or understand 

 its purpose. 



And now may I be permitted to urge the necessity of that 

 mutual support and co-operation upon Avhich the progress and 

 ultimate success of the Society is entirely based. From as 

 simple an origin have the noblest institutions of our parent 

 lands had birth, where their founders, however few their 

 mimbers, have shewn that earnest perseverance which is the 

 sure index of success ; nor need we doubt our success in 

 securing the same issue, for whilst every other interest is 

 progressing with no ordinary rapidity, we may rest assured 

 that the facilities for experiment and observation will become 

 daily more attainable. 



If we look back upon the early history of the human 

 family, when the arts of husbandry reigned alternately with 

 those of warfare ; and if we compare the comforts of life, 

 and the means of intellectual enjoyment in those ages, with 

 those of the present day, we shall perceive how vain it 

 would be to attempt to measui'e the advantages which have 

 resulted from the pursuit of knowledge and the study of the 

 natural sciences. 



